Pro host: Reba McEntire returns to host the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards

By Sarah Passingham

TV Media

Country artists hit the strip on Sunday, April 15, for the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards, airing on CBS. Broadcast live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, it’s a night of celebrating the best in country music, from veteran superstars to fresh, emerging talents.

Hosting the ceremony this year is country music legend Reba McEntire. The eponymous “Reba” star is no stranger to the hosting gig, having taken the reins a total of 14 times between 1985 and 2012. “I really enjoy hosting. It’s very exciting. I love live television,” the songstress told Entertainment Tonight.

Not only does McEntire have solid experience in the hosting seat, she is a record-holding award winner, having taken home 16 awards from the Academy of Country Music over the years — the most wins of any artist. She won her first ACM Award in 1984 for Female Vocalist of the Year, an award she is also nominated for this year, making it her 16th nomination in the category.

One achievement that is close to the multitalented star’s heart is her 1994 win for the ACM’s Entertainer of the Year. With a personal connection to the category, McEntire told Entertainment Tonight that she was “disappointed” about the lack of female nominees this year but remained hopeful, calling country music “very cyclical. The girls dominate or the boys dominate, so it’s coming around. I have faith.” Nominated in

Late Laughs

Conan the category this year are Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban. Her disappointment is understandable, particularly with this being a big year for breakthroughs for women in country music. Bebe Rexha, one of the performers of the night, made history in February when her hit with fellow performers Florida Georgia Line, “Meant to Be,” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs for the 11th week in a row. Unseating Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” the tune became the longest-running No. 1 song by a lead female. Both tracks are crossover hits, with Swift’s song being the lead single from her 2012 album, “Red,” which at the time was her most pop-influenced record to date. Primarily a pop star herself, Rexha spoke to Billboard of her success on the country charts, saying “the beautiful thing about music is that it allows you to break boundaries.”

Yesterday was the L.A. marathon. That’s a big deal! People who ran it said it was nice to finally get from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica in less than four hours.

Along with Rexha and Florida Georgia Line, the impressive list of performers for this year’s event includes Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Urban, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney and more. The ceremony welcomes not only country artists but some famous country fans as presenters for the night, including New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Nancy O’Dell of “Entertainment Tonight,” actress Rebecca Romijn (“X-Men,” 2000) and Olympic athlete Lindsey Vonn.

Kinship Partners Inc.

ACM Award-nominated artist Bentley put out a call to fans earlier this month, looking to make his performance special. The singer asked his fans on social media to send images of their personal female heroes for the chance to be part of his performance of “Woman, Amen,” and photos of these heroes will be displayed behind Bentley while he performs his hit during the show.

Bentley is not the only one dropping performance hints. McEntire revealed that she would be interested in performing with country icon Dolly Parton during the ceremony. There’s been no official word yet whether the host will be performing during the show with or without Parton, though she surely got fans excited at the prospect.

The New Female Vocalist category suggests that the nominees will be largely unknown to music fans, but there’s something familiar about nearly all of this year’s nominated artists. With the exception of “Every Little Thing” singer Carly Pearce, all of the category’s nominees have been contestants on singing competition shows. Lauren Alaina was runner-up in season 10 of “American Idol,” Danielle Bradbery became the then-youngest winner of “The Voice” in season 4, and “Lonely Call” singer RaeLynn made it to the quarter-finals of “The Voice” in 2012. That much talent makes for an exciting, tight race between nominees.

Of course, there are plenty of more seasoned artists vying for awards as well. The Vocal Duo of the year category features new talent

Match of the Month

Abby Stapleton’s world opened up in June 2016 when Brian, Jessica and Cleo Weber became her Kinship Partners.

Brian and Jessica wanted to give something back to the community and thought it would be fun to build a meaningful relationship with a child who would appreciate sharing their time and enthusiasm.

Brian says, “I like Kinship Partners because I believe I’m making a difference. I can see it helping Abby, and I know it’s helping me”. Jessica says, “Abby makes all the ordinary things we do together as a family so much more special. Everything is just a little brighter. We do all the same things we usually do, but our lives are enriched because Abby is here.”

Congratulations to the Weber family and Abby on your Match of the Month! We hope you continue to share some great memories as you make an impact in one another’s lives.

LOCASH going up against new favorites Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line and the classic duo of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Interestingly enough, the 2017 album “The Rest of Our Life,” for which they’re nominated, is the first collaborative album from McGraw and Hill. They have been married for 21 years, and both are major country stars in their own right.

The ACM continues its tradition of raising money for its charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives, with four nights of events in Las Vegas from April 12 to 15. Money raised through the events funds music education, disaster relief and helping communities in need. Notable acts appearing over the four days are the nominees for Songwriter of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, and Video of the Year nominee Ballerini.

Be sure to catch all of the performances and find out who takes home the big wins from the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards by tuning in to CBS for the live broadcast on Sunday, April 15.

Vladimir Putin has been re-elected to a fourth term as president of Russia. The final vote tally was 76 percent for Putin, 24 percent shot this morning.

The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon

This weekend was St. Patrick’s Day! And, of course, there was a big parade here in New York, and a lot of men were wearing kilts. It made the “manspreading” on the subway even worse than normal.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Does anybody here use Facebook still? Because the company is reeling from revelations that they allowed the private information of 50 million Americans to be harvested by the Trump campaign’s consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. Cambridge Analytica, by the way, is also the scientific name for John Oliver.

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Be a Friend. Be a Mentor.

Why not start your own friendship journey?

For more information about Kinship Partners, please call (218)-829-4606 or visit our website at www.kinshippartners.org

Reba host of the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards

According to one adviser, Trump’s lawyers are in “crunchtime” right now. Which is funny, because “crunchtime” is also what they call it when an extra crispy bucket of KFC arrives at the White House.

Late Night With Seth Meyers

Disney has announced it will produce a live-action remake of the classic animated film “Lady and the Tramp.” And Jared Leto has already lost 40 pounds to play the spaghetti.

Across

1. Sound of a balloon’s doom

4. Psych. experiment subject

7. Hereditary unit

11. Be off base

12. “Bridesmaids” (2011) star Kristen

14. Former NBC comedy starring Jason Lee “My

Name Is ___”

15. “Gloria in excelsis ___”

16. Plot driver in Fox drama “9-1-1”

18. Helpful signal during 16 Across

19. Continent separator

20. Old police show about two female detectives: “___ & ___”

26. Villainous Mongomery, in 34 Across

28. Xbox ___ (Playstation 4 competitor)

29. “I can take ___ ___!”

30. Frasier’s brother

32. Prepare for the grill

33. Seashore

34. Dysfunctional TV family

40. California/ Nevada lake

41. Morning hrs.

44. Former sitcom starring Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy: “___ & ___”

48. Formerly known as

49. Pronto

50. Indistinguishable

51. Rocky prominence

52. Is beneficial

53. Norma ___ (Sally Field role)

54. Be indebted to Down

1. Walkers, for short

2. Black and white treat

3. Make illegal

4. Ram’s mate

5. 2018 romantic comedy starring Nick Robinson: “Love, ___”

6. King or knight

7. “Thelma & Louise” (1991) star Davis

8. Suffix with Caesar

9. Reactoroverseeing org.

10. 1960s Tarzan portrayer Ron

13. ___hound (speedy dog or bus company)

17. “Wonder Woman” (2017) star Gadot

21. Late columnist Landers

22. Prime meridian std.

23. “Cheers” star Nicholas

24. Endings for “butyl” and “ethyl”

25. Recently: Abbr.

26. One of 34 Across

27. “No way!”

30. Sgt., for one

31. It’s not free of charge

35. Dance moves

36. 2007 film starring Will Smith: “___ ___ Legend”

37. Old electrical units

38. 2004 Christmas classic “The ___ Express”

39. Chain-smoking aunt in 34 Across

42. Cat call

43. Dry as dust

44. Tourist’s aid

45. “This ___ ___ surprise!”

46. Mary ___ cosmetics

47. “___-haw!”

Solution on page